SRINAGAR: Continuing its efforts of outreach programmes and dissemination of scientific technologies, DARS, SKUAST-Kashmir, Rangreth conducted one day “Training Programme-cum-free Input Distribution’ covering farmers from three districts of Kashmir valley. The programme was organised under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and sponsored under project No. 01 entitled,” Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain in PPP Mode”.
More than forty Agripreneurs and 20 progressive farmers from three districts of Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama were benefitted by benefitted by the programme. Quality fodder Oats and wheat seed of SKUAST-K released varieties was also distributed free of cost with aim of boosting fodder and livestock production and fostering wheat production in the area.
Training Coordinator Dr. Fayaz Ahmed Bahar, Professor Agronomy, in his lecture highlighted the role of SKUAST-K in reaching out to the farming community of the valley and importance of fodder oats in sustaining the fodder and milk production of the valley. The farmers were highly motivated and enthusiastic with this intervention and were guided with scientific technological knowhow of the fodder crop for better yields. Dr. N. S. Khuroo, Professor GPB, AICRP-Forages, highlighted the contribution of released varieties in replacement of local landraces and their deployment. He assured the participants for any sort technical assistance for enhancing crop diversification and profitability.
Associate Director Research, DARS, Rangreth and PI HADP Project No.1, Prof. Mohd Ashraf Bhat spoke about of increasing production and profitability of fodder crops in lines with the changing climatic scenario. He encouraged the farmers to come forward for increasing the fodder production and ensure their active role in participatory crop production for eliminating the fodder scarcity of the valley.
Prof. Ashraf also chaired the scientist farmer interaction and lauded the efforts of all the stakeholders in changing the overall agricultural scenario of the Kashmir valley. The agriprenures expressed their satisfaction and desired more such programmes to be conducted in future with a scope for entrepreneurship development.